Life without Spanish superstar David Villa might not be so tough after all for Melbourne City, judging by Saturday night’s stunning 3-1 win over A-League champions Brisbane.
But the future does not look bright for the Roar, whose title defence is officially in tatters after suffering their fourth straight loss.
Brisbane had hoped to reboot their season following a week off spent tinkering with their game - and mindset - after the postponement of their scheduled previous-round match against Western Sydney at the height of the Wanderers’ Asian Champions League title charge.
However, Roar coach Mike Mulvey might be tempted to go back to the drawing board, amid City notching their season-opening win just days after farewelling Villa - the man expected to kick-start their season.
Melbourne City looked devoid of inspiration after failing to trouble the win column when Villa left the club just four games into what was supposed to be a 10-match guest stint.
But it was the Roar who looked out of ideas by fulltime - much to the disappointment of the largely gutted 17,131-strong Suncorp Stadium crowd.
Melbourne City set up their maiden season win - and first under their new brand - with a stunning burst of two first-half goals in as many minutes.
David Williams drew first blood when he made disappointing Roar defender Jack Hingert pay for a turnover in just the eighth minute.
And Mate Dugandzic made it 2-0 by the 10th after latching onto a spectacular long ball from ex-Roar hero Erik Paartalu.
The result was sealed when Marc Marino put away James Brown’s sublime cross in the 83rd minute.
It marked the 10th goal in four games that Brisbane’s former England youth international Jamie Young had conceded in the absence of Michael Theo, still a month away from recovering from a broken wrist.
Brisbane only managed to get on the board in the 67th minute when Brandon Borrello “falconed” a stunning Matt McKay strike.
The only other time City had won at Suncorp Stadium was back in December 2011 in their previous incarnation as Melbourne Heart.
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